Jump to content

Kundalini yoga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Fatehji (talk | contribs) at 17:47, 13 July 2010 (Language tweaks.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Kundalini yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline comprised of the physical and meditative techniques found in the teachings of Raja yoga, Shakti yoga, Bhakti yoga, tantra, Kriya yoga, Laya-yoga, Nada yoga and the pillars and Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.[1][2] Kundalini Yoga was widely popularized in the United States by Yogi Bhajan in 1969 and continues to spread globally as a holistic community of teachers and students commonly known as 3HO (the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) or Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan.[3] In its simplest dilution, it describes a set of yoga exercises called kriyas and meditative practices which are designed to awaken ones consciousness to the universal nature of the soul and ones spirituality.[4] Kundalini yoga is called the yoga of awareness because it awakens kundalini, heightens consciousness, develops intuition, raises inner knowledge, and unshackles the unlimited creative potential that exists within every human being.[5][6][7]

Kundalini yoga is a highly developed spiritual science with an obscure and multicultural history which, according to Hindu tradition, relies upon a technique called shaktipat to attain enlightenment under the guidance of a spiritual master.[8] Mainstream traditions have shown that kundalini energy can be awakened and enlightenment attained by practicing a combination of yogic techniques - ideally following the guidance of a certified teacher - including the use of mantra, prana and breathing techniques, sadhana, asana practice, meditation, or purely through devotion and prayer.[9]

Underlying philosophy

According to yogic philosophy, the kundalini is a spiritual energy or life force located at the base of the spine. It is conceptualized as a coiled up serpent (literally, 'kundalini' in Sanskrit is 'that which is coiled.' Sanskrit kund, "to burn"; kunda, "to coil or to spiral").

In the classical literature of Kashmir Saivism kundalini is described in three different manifestations. The first of these is as the universal energy or para-kundalini. The second of these is as the energizing function of the body-mind complex or prana-kundalini. The third of these is as consciousness or shakti-kundalini which simultaneously subsumes and intermediates between these two. Ultimately these three forms are the same but understanding these three different forms will help to understand the different manifestations of kundalini .[10]

The path of Kundalini is said to proceed from the Muladhara Chakra at the lower end of the spinal column up to the Sahasara Chakra at the top of the head. But its awakening is not thought to be a physical occurrence; it consists exclusively of a development in consciousness. According to some sources, awakening of kundalini brings with it pure joy, pure knowledge and pure love.[6][11]

The word 'Kundalini' can be traced to the Sanskrit word 'kundala', which means 'coiled'. Kundalini can therefore be used to refer to the latent energy within the human body which is constantly trying to manifest as our insight, power and bliss. [12] According to one source, the word kundalini literally means "the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved.".[13][14] It is a metaphor, a poetic way of describing the flow of energy and consciousness which already is said to exist within each person. The practices are said to enable the person to merge with or "yoke" the universal self. This merging of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness is said to create a "divine union" called "yoga".[15]

Developmental perspective

Kundalini Yoga has been documented as a system of exercises and meditations which claims to provide extensive benefits for personal spiritual growth as well as improving mental and physical well-being. The physiological benefits cover a wide spectrum of ailments, including healing treatments for Alzheimer's disease[16], asthma, diabetes, pain, stress-related diseases, rehabilitating addictive behavior, and treating mental disorders.[17][18][19]

According to some traditions Kundalini techniques are only communicated from master to disciple once the disciple is deemed ready.[6] In these cases, yogic masters believe that in ascetic settings ignorance or refusal to follow instructions of a master can lead to harmful effects.[6] However, in a few instances teachers from India encouraged students to update and spread the teachings to the West, thereby putting doubt to this claim.[20]

Sovatsky,[21] a scholar of Yoga associated with transpersonal psychology, adapts a developmental and evolutionary perspective in his interpretation of Kundalini Yoga. That is, he interprets Kundalini Yoga as a catalyst for psycho-spiritual growth and bodily maturation. According to this interpretation of yoga, the body bows itself into greater maturation [...], none of which should be considered mere stretching exercises[22].

Cautionary observations

All intensive spiritual practices associated with Asian traditions require attentive practice. Psychiatric literature[23] notes that "Since the influx of eastern spiritual practices and the rising popularity of meditation starting in 1960s, many people have experienced a variety of psychological difficulties, either while engaged in intensive spiritual practice or spontaneously". Among the psychological difficulties associated with intensive spiritual practice we find "kundalini awakening", "a complex physio-psychospiritual transformative process described in the yogic tradition".[23] Also, writers in the fields of Transpersonal psychology[24] and Near-death studies[25][26] describe a complex pattern of sensory, motor, mental and affective symptoms associated within the concept of kundalini, known as kundalini syndrome. Often it will be found that negative experiences occur only when acting without appropriate guidance or ignoring advice.[27]

Medical research

  • Manocha et al.[28] used temperature readings to verify that coolness experienced on the palms of the hands resulted from the Sahaja Yoga technique of kundalini meditation.
  • Venkatesh et al.[29] studied twelve kundalini (chakra) meditators, using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory. They found that the practice of meditation "appears to produce structural as well as intensity changes in phenomenological experiences of consciousness".

Notes

  1. ^ Guru Fatha Singh Khalsa, The Essential Gursikh Yogi: The Yoga and Yogis in the Past, Present and Future of Sikh Dharma, Toronto, Monkey Minds Press, 2008, 188-89, 210-12, 222-39.
  2. ^ Swami Sivananda Radha, Kundalini Yoga for the West, timeless, 2004, pages 14, 29, 43
  3. ^ "Kundalini Yoga - What You Need to Know About Kundalini Yoga". About.com. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  4. ^ Swami Sivananda Radha, Kundalini Yoga for the West, timeless, 2004, pages 29, 83
  5. ^ Sat Bachan Kaur Karla Becker, 2004
  6. ^ a b c d Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, The hidden power in humans, Ibera Verlag, pages 47, 48. ISBN 3-85052-197-4
  7. ^ Swami Sivananda Radha, Kundalini Yoga for the West, timeless, 2004, pages 13, 15
  8. ^ "Kundalini Yogas FAQ - So how do I awaken kundalini?". Eecs.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  9. ^ "Kundalini Yogas FAQ - So how do I awaken kundalini?". Eecs.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  10. ^ "Kundalini Yogas FAQ". Eecs.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  11. ^ Swami Sivananda Radha, Kundalini Yoga for the West, timeless, 2004, pages 13, 15
  12. ^ http://www.heartcenteredtherapies.org/go/docs/Kundalini%20Meditation%20-%20Article%20by%20John%20Selby.pdf
  13. ^ Satya July 99: Kundalini Yoga by Deborah Clapp[dead link]
  14. ^ "Yogi Bhajan". Store.goldenbridgeyoga.com. 1969-01-05. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  15. ^ design@lancasters.co.uk. "What is Kundalini yoga?". Kundaliniyoga.org.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  16. ^ WebMD Alzheimer's Disease Health Center: 'Can Meditation Reverse Memory Loss?' From the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
  17. ^ Congressional Honorary Resolution 521 US Library of Congress
  18. ^ David Shannahoff-Khalsa, Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Complex Psychiatric Disorders: Techniques Specific for Treating the Psychoses, Personality, and Pervasive Development Disorders, 2010
  19. ^ David Shannahoff-Khalsa, Kundalini Yoga Meditation: Techniques Specific for Psychiatric Disorders, Couples Therapy, and Personal Growth, 2007
  20. ^ Swami Sivananda Radha, Kundalini Yoga for the West, timeless, 2004, pages 13, 23
  21. ^ Sovatsky, 1998: p. 6, 82, 142
  22. ^ Sovatsky, 1998: p. 142
  23. ^ a b Turner et al.,pg. 440
  24. ^ Scotton, 1996
  25. ^ Kason, 2000
  26. ^ Greyson, 2000
  27. ^ Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, The hidden power in humans, Ibera Verlag, pages 47, 48, 49.
  28. ^ Manocha R, Black D, Ryan J, Stough C, Spiro D, [1] "This study demonstrates a skin temperature reduction on the palms of the hands during the experience of mental silence, arising as a result of a single 10 minute session of Sahaja yoga meditation." [Changing Definitions of Meditation: Physiological Corollorary, Journal of the International Society of Life Sciences, Vol 28 (1), Mar 2010]
  29. ^ Venkatesh et al., 1997

References

  • Arambula P, Peper E, Kawakami M, Gibney KH. (2001) The Physiological Correlates of Kundalini Yoga Meditation: A Study of a Yoga Master, Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, Jun 2001; 26(2): 147 - 53, PubMed Abstract PMID 11480165.
  • Cromie, William J. (2002) Research: Meditation Changes Temperatures: Mind Controls Body in Extreme Experiments. Harvard University Gazette, April 18, 2002
  • Greyson, Bruce (2000) Some Neuropsychological Correlates Of The Physio-Kundalini Syndrome. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, Vol.32, No. 2
  • Laue, Thorsten: Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Tee und das Wassermannzeitalter. Bibliografische Einblicke in die Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO) des Yogi Bhajan. Tübingen: 2008. Online abrufbar unter: http://tobias-lib.ub.uni-tuebingen.de/volltexte/2008/3596/ [in German]
  • Laue, Thorsten: Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Tee und das Wassermannzeitalter. Religionswissenschaftliche Einblicke in die Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO) des Yogi Bhajan, Münster: LIT, 2007, ISBN 3825801403
  • Kason, Yvonne (2000) Farther Shores: Exploring How Near-Death, Kundalini and Mystical Experiences Can Transform Ordinary Lives. Toronto: Harper Collins Publishers, Revised edition, ISBN 0-00-638624-5
  • Lazar, Sara W.; Bush, George; Gollub, Randy L.; Fricchione, Gregory L.; Khalsa, Gurucharan; Benson, Herbert (2000) Functional Brain Mapping of the Relaxation Response and Meditation, [Autonomic Nervous System] NeuroReport, Vol. 11(7) May 15, 2000, p 1581 - 1585, PubMed Abstract PMID 10841380
  • Narayan R, Kamat A, Khanolkar M, Kamat S, Desai SR, Dhume RA. (1990) Quantitative Evaluation of Muscle Relaxation Induced by Kundalini Yoga with the Help of EMG Integrator. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. Oct 1990; 34(4): 279 - 81, PubMed Abstract PMID 2100290.
  • Peng CK, Mietus JE, Liu Y, Khalsa G, Douglas PS, Benson H, Goldberger AL. (1999) Exaggerated Heart Rate Oscillations During Two Meditation Techniques. Int J Cardiol, Jul 31, 1999; 70(2): 101 - 7, PubMed Abstract PMID 10454297.
  • Scotton, Bruce (1996) The phenomenology and treatment of kundalini, in Chinen, Scotton and Battista (Editors) (1996) Textbook of transpersonal psychiatry and psychology. (pp. 261–270). New York: Basic Books, Inc
  • Sovatsky, Stuart (1998) Words from the Soul: Time, East/West Spirituality, and Psychotherapeutic Narrative, Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology, New York: State University of New York Press
  • Turner, Robert P.; Lukoff, David; Barnhouse, Ruth Tiffany & Lu, Francis G. (1995) Religious or Spiritual Problem. A Culturally Sensitive Diagnostic Category in the DSM-IV. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,Vol.183, No. 7 435-444
  • Venkatesh S, Raju TR, Shivani Y, Tompkins G, Meti BL. (1997) A Study of Structure of Phenomenology of Consciousness in Meditative and Non-Meditative States. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol, Apr 1997; 41(2): 149 - 53. PubMed Abstract PMID 9142560.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kundalini_yoga&oldid=373294787"